The Madras High Court has directed the Inspector of the Karimedu police station in Madurai to produce a girl aged below 18 as per the school certificate, who feared honour killing, before the Judicial Magistrate-V, Madurai.
Justice S. Nagamuthu passed the order on a petition by an advocate and the girl who fell in love and got married. It was an inter-caste marriage. This was objected to by the girl’s father. The petitioners feared that they would be killed.
The Judge observed that though it was stated by the advocate, Anburaj, that he believed the girl’s statement that she had completed 18 years of age, he should have verified the correctness of the statement. Whatever the case, he did not want to express any more opinion. It was for the investigating officer to probe the matter thoroughly. He was concerned about the safety and security of the petitioners.
During an earlier hearing, both the petitioners were present in the court. After recording the girl’s statement, the Judge said that as per the school certificate she had not completed 18 years of age. So she should be produced before the Judicial Magistrate to decide about her custody.
